Celebrating Giving Tuesday

The holidays are all about giving, and this season many companies are getting into the spirit of giving, too. On Giving Tuesday, businesses across the country are choosing to give back to their communities and help make a difference dollar by dollar. This means causes receive larger donations than they ordinarily would, and it can inspire individual donors to give more, too. Padres Pedal the Cause knows the impact of company gifts, and we’re grateful for every sponsor and donor we have. We use the money we’re gifted every year to fund life-saving cancer research and help create a world without cancer. Here’s how some other companies are choosing to make a difference, and how you can take part in the season of giving.

At the holidays, we often think of those who can’t enjoy the comforts we think of as we celebrate with the people we love. Wild Republic, an international toy company, was particularly struck by the fact that a staggering 2.5 million, or one in every 30 kids, is homeless in the United States. Wild Republic regularly supports a variety of children’s charities worldwide, and this holiday they’re supporting Project Night Night, a program that donates childhood essentials to homeless children. Through December 15, 2017, Wild Republic will donate one of their award-winning plush animals to Project Night Night for every order over $50. Wild Republic’s donations mean you can give back to children in need and enjoy your own gifts, too. Look for companies who give back when you buy from them.

Similarly, Children’s International, a global humanitarian organization, is kicking off their giving season with the help of a generous anonymous donor who hopes to encourage more people to give. All donations received through the end of Giving Tuesday will be matched up to $1 million. All the money raised goes toward Children International’s HOPE scholarship, which helps children and youth living in poverty to complete secondary school, vocational training or a university education. Statistically, every year of education completed equals an income increase of 8.3%. The HOPE scholarship helps break the cycle of poverty for young people at risk.

LinkedIn also gives back year-round through their own LinkedIn Gives program, a LinkedIn for Good crowd-funding program through GoFundMe. Every year around Giving Tuesday, LinkedIn kicks off an internal push to encourage employees to give back and make an impact in a way that inspires them. This program allows employees to choose charities and nonprofits they care about and unlocks LinkedIn for Good funds to help support these causes. LinkedIn offers matching gifts as well, up to $1,000 per year per employee, so employees know that LinkedIn supports their giving. This sort of support for charitable giving creates a company culture of kindness and generosity. Just what the holidays are all about.

Matching opportunities allow you to make the most of your donations to a cause you care about. When you donate to an organization like Padres Pedal the Cause through a matching program, you’ll increase your donation and your impact to help end cancer. Before you give, find out if your company offers corporate matching for your gift. You can also look for businesses to buy from this season that give back to their communities and support causes that matter to you. Pay attention to corporate sponsors and find out how you can support them and say thank you for giving back to a cause you believe in. Join Giving Tuesday and watch your dollars go to work!